Where locals eat in Cambridge, Massachusetts
A common misconception about Cambridge dining: People assume Harvard Square has the best restaurants because it's famous. Locals know the opposite — Harvard Square restaurants serve tourists. The best food is in Central, Inman, and Porter, where restaurants survive on repeat customers, not foot traffic.
How locals actually choose a restaurant: First, pick the neighborhood you're already in. Then pick the cuisine. Then check if you need a reservation. Cambridge restaurants are small; the good ones fill up. Spontaneous dining works best at lunch or early dinner.
Julia Child lived on Irving Street. She would've loved our restaurant scene.
Jewish delicatessen in Kendall Square from the Hungry Mother / State Park team. House-smoked pastrami, hand-rolled bagels, Montreal-style smoked meat, and a weekend brunch line that regularly wraps the block.
The East Cambridge outpost of the ice cream shop the New York Times called 'the best in the world.' Same Burnt Caramel and B3 as the Central Square flagship, usually with less of a line.
Working-man's oyster bar with New England seafood. Fresh catches daily, craft beer selection, lively atmosphere.
The newest endeavor from the Mamaleh's delicatessen crew, in the former Vincent's space. Multipurpose outpost serving as test kitchen, event space, and deli. Jewish-style comfort food with creative twists.
Artisan pizza, craft beer, and wood-fired cooking. Popular breakfast spot and neighborhood gathering place.
Microbrewery and taproom between Central and Inman Squares on Broadway, with a shared cafe space with Longfellows Coffee. Known for funky fermentation beers — sours, wild yeasts, unexpected ingredients (sweet potato, chamomile, buckwheat) — alongside the core IPA program.
Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.
Texas-style BBQ with house-smoked meats. Brisket, ribs, and creative sides. Bourbon selection, outdoor patio, casual atmosphere.
Abruzzo-rooted Italian restaurant in Kendall Square from the Susi family of Amelia's Trattoria. 130 seats, a long marble bar, semi-open kitchen, and a menu named for the medieval town in Abruzzo the family comes from.
Small family-run Italian trattoria just outside Kendall Square. Handmade pastas, house gnocchi, and meat dishes from chef-owner Delio Susi Jr. An off-the-beaten-path neighborhood spot from the same family behind Sulmona.
Modern Mediterranean in the Kendall Hotel. Farm-to-table focus with seasonal New England ingredients.
All-day Parisian brasserie in Kendall Square, in the former Abigail's space. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner seven days. French classics: coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, escargot, raw bar.
MIT graduate student pub in Walker Memorial on the Charles River. Nobel laureates, grad students, and guests of MIT affiliates welcome; general public cannot enter without an MIT ID. Cash only. Open only during the academic year.
11,000 sq ft Kendall Square food hall with nine vendors under one roof: Clover, Juicy Jay's, Perillas Korean Kitchen, Everybody Gotta Eat, Việt Citron, Lone Star Taco, Bacaro Café & Bar, and Fuji Sushi. Two bars, 275 seats, open to the Kendall/MIT T platform.
Join our distinguished directory of Cambridge establishments and connect with discerning diners across all eight districts.
"I saved Latin. What did you ever do?"
— Max Fischer, Rushmore Academy
Cambridge has over 137 curated restaurants spanning every cuisine. Top-rated spots include award-winning establishments in Harvard Square and Inman Square, diverse ethnic restaurants in Central Square, and innovative dining in Kendall Square. Browse our directory sorted by rating above to find the highest-rated options.